A Periodic e-Newsletter to Rotary Leaders across Zones 23 & 24 and Beyond

September 19, 2008
Issue 16

And you thought the US & world stock markets are disasters…?

Sometimes a "disaster" is in the eye of the beholder. But then there are real "Disasters!"

It simply boggles one's mind to attempt to absorb the string of natural disasters we've seen around the world over just the past five months – from a typhoon that ravished Myanmar to the killer earthquake in Sichuan, China, to wildfires in California and record flooding in the US Midwest. In the past 30 days, alone, we've seen massive flooding and untold devastation in Bihar, India and, of course, we've seen hurricanes Ike and Gustav whipping across the Caribbean crashing into Louisiana and Texas… just to name a few.

Words such as "Disaster" … "Catastrophe" … "Devastating" ... seem inadequate in describing the enormity of and the toll associated with each event.

Courtesy: Matt Stamey, The Courrier

Perhaps the best way to translate into human terms the most recent event is through a note we received a few days ago from PDG Billy Foster, D6200 in Houma, LA. Billy wrote:

Dear Rotary Friends,

Over the past two weeks we have suffered the wrath of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Many of you have called or emailed me to assure that Annette and I were OK. Quite frankly, I can't remember who I have responded to and who I haven't. So, I decided to just include my Rotary list of friends to this message.

Annette and I are fine, our families are fine. My house and place of business are also OK.  Unfortunately, many people in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish did not fair as well. Hurricane Gustav was the worst wind storm we have seen here and around Houma (where I live). There is widespread damage to homes and businesses. We were without power for 10 days, some are still without.

Just when we thought we were working our way out of a bad situation Hurricane Ike came along. It did not actually hit Louisiana (it slammed Texas and I truly feel for all of our Texas friends) but it skirted our coast and for 4 days forced a storm surge up the five Bayous of Terrebonne Parish. It flooded all the communities south of Houma and even flooded parts of east Houma. The estimates are that somewhere between 15-20 thousand structures are flooded. It's the worst flooding in Terrebonne Parish history.

Without belaboring the point and I certainly don't want to sound insensitive to anyone else's misery or misfortune, but we are in pretty bad shape down here. Many of you have asked how you could help. Our District has a Foundation that accepted and distributed funds during Katrina-Rita and Zones 29-30 had established a Donor Advised fund for the same disasters. I am assuming both of those are avenues for your consideration.

But, since those disasters have occurred our club has formed its own Foundation. If you are inclined to send funds I would humbly suggest you send them directly to the Rotary Club of Houma Foundation, P.O. Box 811, Houma, La. 70361. I can promise you that you will receive a complete accounting of where and what your funds we used for.

The needs are many. Past experience tells us that cleaning supplies, food-especially baby food, formula, and other baby supplies will be needed. Hygiene items will be needed. After the clean-up, we will need appliances and bedding supplies. School supplies, uniforms, etc. The needs will be endless. If you are more inclined to send supplies directly I do have warehouse space available. I can accept just about anything you send, but please contact me first to make sure there is a need for the particular item you have.

Thank all of you for your prayers and concerns. The Rotary Family is a truly remarkable phenomenon. I am so proud and grateful to be a part of it. To all of our Texas friends please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all. If there is anyway that we can help with your recovery we will.

In the Spirit of Rotary,
PDG Billy Foster, D6200
P.O. Box 6001, Houma, La. 70361
985-868-3920; 985-868-6496; 985-804-8094

In addition to Billy's email, RI Director Phil Silvers has provided this update on four Texas and Louisiana districts:

Photo taken on Galveston Island following Hurricane Ike. Click here for additional photos.

District 5910, southeast Texas was hardest hit by Ike, sustaining widespread devastation, with prospects of a long-term recovery process. Some communities, like Galveston, were obliterated.  Governor Roger McCabe is o.k., having evacuated to San Antonio.  Contributions can be directed to the Texas Area Foundation, credit Rotary District 5910 Donor Advised Fund, and sent to PDG Hugh Summers, P.O. Box 1399, Palestine TX 75802-1399.

District 6200, southwest Louisiana Gov Mike and Martha are o.k. Gustav hit hard, and a lot of damage in Huoma and Baton Rouge.  Also effects from Ike--the double whammy.  Contributions can be made to the D-6200 Foundation, and sent to District Secretary Karen Viator, 2266 S. College Road Extension, Lafayette LA 70508.

District 5890, greater Houston area DG Rhonda and Eric are doing o.k., though they do not have electricity.  East part of Houston sustained damage, downtown area did not look too bad. Ice and water from FEMA was slow in coming, but it got there ... after Rotarians made that their first mission :) .   Their main mission right now is finding displaced Rotarians and finding interim lodging for them at the home of Rotarians. Contributions can be sent to District 5890 Charities, c/o DG Rhonda Kennedy, P.O. Box 417, Sweeny TX 77480.

District 5930 (Corpus Christi, Victoria, Brownsville) Dodged the bullet after Ike was headed right toward them, but changed course at the last minute. Southern part of the district, Brownsville, was battered by Hurricane Dolly.

What each of these tragedies and disasters underscore is the kind of devastation that can happen anywhere… at any time. Sure, the type of disaster might be different - tsunamis, hurricanes/typhoons, flooding, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, even volcanic eruptions (remember Mt. St. Helens). But one thing is certain: communities throughout Zones 23 & 24 are vulnerable to most of these, and more. And, in every case, Rotarians are involved: as victims, responders and/or in providing relief and rebuilding.

These also raise the question:
What is Rotary's Role in Disasters?

The short answer is that Rotary's role is whatever Rotarians and clubs want to make it! That's the magic and genius of Rotary.

However, in reality, the answer isn't quite that simple. And this is the essence of why two important organizations have emerged within the Rotary family to address the issue of the role of Rotary and Rotarians in both being prepared for and in responding to Disasters.

One is THE DISASTER RELIEF ROTARIAN ACTION GROUP (DRRAG)

PDG Eddie Blender, CIO for DRRAG, has said it well:

"When a natural or other disaster occurs, Rotarians most often wish to work with Rotarians.  Moreover, rather than send a ‘check' to the Red Cross or C.A.R.E.  -  Rotarians want to be immediately and intimately involved and to take action.

"We (DRRAG) are a very new Rotarian Action Group and our purpose is to provide the opportunities for response.  Moreover to also enable Rotarians to effectively participate in disaster management preparedness, response, recovery, and rebuilding worldwide and to educate, help, save lives, reduce suffering and foster fundamental humanitarian principles and world peace.

"There are an average of 600 major disasters every year in the world and thousands of minor ones.  If Rotarians want to be in the disaster "business" it must begin with each Rotarian and their Clubs and then involve near-by Clubs, District(s), Zone(s), RI and DRRAG.

"Rotary disaster operation must be triggered by local clubs, districts or zones, because those onsite will be the only ones who will know how to navigate the system and have the pre-established contacts in place to act effectively and efficiently.

"DRRAG will provide a worldwide structure for Rotarians to participate effectively in disaster response and recovery that will be both a timely emergency response to victim needs and long-term help in furthering and assisting recovery.  Our focus will be on information sharing and referral. No agency can handle all the world's disasters and we know that Rotarians wish to work with Rotarians and DRRAG is in a position to bring Rotarians together."

The other group is, to date, an informal organization called
ROTARY EMERGENCY DISASTER INITIATIVE (REDI)

REDI is a freestanding group designed to assist clubs and districts through putting on general workshops (and not by organizing the districts and clubs themselves). REDI has conducted successful disaster training conferences in 2006 and 2007. Based on learnings from both conferences, plans are being finalized for the 2008 joint REDI-DRRAG Conference 5-7 December in Nassau, Bahamas. Interested Rotarians primarily from North America and The Caribbean are the primary audience.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? This practical and hands-on workshop is intended to prepare club and district leaders for emergencies and disasters, which are inevitable almost anywhere. Sessions will emphasize working with established emergency management systems and developing a Disaster Operations Manual for your club and district, and much more. Click here to find out more about this Conference.

Are YOU interested in becoming a DISASTER COORDINATOR for Rotary ZONE 23 or 24 (25 & 26 effective 7.01.2009)? If so, click here to send me an email indicating your interest. Also, please include a brief statement why you are interested and a little about your experiences in the area of disasters. (Keep in mind, as with all Rotary functions, expenses incurred are generally "at no cost Rotary.")

AND FINALLY...
Diane and I hope to see you at our 2008 "Bridging the Generations" Rotary Institute in Portland next week, 25-28 September. Chairman Hal Darcey and his dedicated and innovative committee of over 100 PDGs - in addition to many partners - have been hard at work since last year to make this your most memorable and exciting Institute ever!

Click here for a sneak PREVIEW of the Institute's Program.

Paul Netzel
RI Director 2007-09
Zones 23-24

Your Comments are Welcome. Please click here: pnetzel@earthlink.net to send RID Paul an email to share your comments and/or to offer suggestions for future e-Briefs topics.

You can find more information on Zone events on the Zone Website Calendar.